Mihos: Last chance for turnpike drivers

Christy Mihos

Wednesday

Jul 30, 2008 at 12:01 AMJul 30, 2008 at 2:32 PM

This is it! Turnpike drivers living west of Rte. 128 will never get a chance like this again - ever. All those misdeeds by Representatives Wagner, Polito, Loscocco, Brown, Leduc and so many of the other sheep can be broomed with courage right here - right now.

This is it!

Turnpike drivers living west of Rte. 128 will never get a chance like this again - ever.

All those misdeeds by Representatives Wagner, Polito, Loscocco, Brown, Leduc and so many of the other sheep can be broomed with courage right here - right now.

Do not allow any bailout of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, unless your constituents get real reform translated as fairness at long last. Here are the mandates you must deliver for them:

First, sell the 11 service area plazas which, even in today's economy, will bring in more than $300 million. Pay off the western Turnpike bonds, which will leave the Turnpike with more than $125 million, take the toll plazas down and make good on the promise of 1954. The maintenance of the road will then be subject to federal highway funds like any other major roadway in the country. Western Pike taxpayers will pocket more than $130 million a year in a toll-free road. Heck, you've paid for that right many times over. Buy out the contract of toll takers and give them a reason to take the buyout. Second, force the Turnpike Authority to sell any and all land and buildings or leases and convert assets to cash to pay off debt. Third, it's time the Legislature repeal any and all discounts to neighborhoods in and around Boston that had their tolls fixed in 1995. See "Acts of 1995, Ted Williams Tunnel, Chapter 102." Fourth, immediately sell the vent building at Government Center, which will bring at least $50 million. Also, the former headquarters at Kneeland Street, with its adjoining parcels, for $50 million. Fifth, make tolls only one-way on the Metropolitan Highway System from Newton into Boston - either way, but not both - and give people back their time and safety. No more starts and stops, no pollution, no accidents. We take tolls one way on the Tobin Bridge and the Ted Williams Tunnel. What's the big deal on the pike? Sixth, give free transponders to all who want them. The payback for the turnpike is less than 100 days in less cost to process tolls. Any businessman would kill for a 100-day payback of their investment to offer this service. And don't charge to replace transponders that have dead batteries - we never did when I was on the board. Seventh, go after the contractors that got us into this mess with shoddy construction, waste, fraud, corruption and no sense of loyalty to the taxpayers. Ask the administration: What did they do with Bechtel's $450 million payment in lieu of not indicting them for their actions? Where'd that go? Eighth, don't believe the sky-is-falling mantra from the Administration. The Turnpike is the cash cow of state agencies. All others look up to them for their cover and misdeeds. Ninth, all legislators representing constituents west of Rte. 128 must fight the Administration's attempt to allow western Turnpike revenues to be utilized in any manner to pay Big Dig costs. Once that happens, your tolls are with you - forever.

Now's the time. All you legislators west of Rte. 128 take credit for doing the right thing. Fail now and the toll payers will be waiting for you.

Christy Mihos is a former member of the Mass. Turnpike Authority board.

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